An alternative singularity-free cosmological scenario from cusp geometries

We study an alternative geometrical approach on the problem of classical cosmological singularity. It is based on a generalized function $f (x, y) = x^{2} + y^{2} = (1 - z)z^{n}$ which consists of a cusped coupled isosurface. Such a geometry is computed and discussed into the context of Friedmann singularity-free cosmology where a pre-big bang scenario is considered. Assuming that the mechanism of cusp formation is described by non-linear oscillations of a pre-big bang extended very high energy density field ($> 3 \times 10^{94} kg/m^{3}$), we show that the action under the gravitational field follows a tautochrone of revolution, understood here as the primary projected geometry that alternatively replaces the Friedmann singularity in the standard big bang theory. As shown here this new approach allows us to interpret the nature of both matter and dark energy from first geometric principles.Comment: Proceedings of Sixth International School on Field Theory and Gravitation-2012 - by American Institute of Physic

Performance of novel silicon n-in-p planar Pixel Sensors

The performance of novel n-in-p planar pixel detectors, designed for future upgrades of the ATLAS Pixel system is presented. The n-in-p silicon sensors technology is a promising candidate for the pixel upgrade thanks to its radiation hardness and cost effectiveness, that allow for enlarging the area instrumented with pixel detectors. The n-in-p modules presented here are composed of pixel sensors produced by CiS connected by bump-bonding to the ATLAS readout chip FE-I3. The characterization of these devices has been performed before and after irradiation up to a fluence of 5 x 10**15 1 MeV neq cm-2 . Charge collection measurements carried out with radioactive sources have proven the functioning of this technology up to these particle fluences. First results from beam test data with a 120 GeV/c pion beam at the CERN-SPS are also discussed, demonstrating a high tracking efficiency of (98.6 \pm 0.3)% and a high collected charge of about 10 ke for a device irradiated at the maximum fluence and biased at 1 kV.Comment: Preprint submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods A. 7 pages, 13 figure

Vacuum field energy and spontaneous emission in anomalously dispersive cavities

Anomalously dispersive cavities, particularly white light cavities, may have larger bandwidth to finesse ratios than their normally dispersive counterparts. Partly for this reason, their use has been proposed for use in LIGO-like gravity wave detectors and in ring-laser gyroscopes. In this paper we analyze the quantum noise associated with anomalously dispersive cavity modes. The vacuum field energy associated with a particular cavity mode is proportional to the cavity-averaged group velocity of that mode. For anomalously dispersive cavities with group index values between 1 and 0, this means that the total vacuum field energy associated with a particular cavity mode must exceed $\hbar \omega/2$. For white light cavities in particular, the group index approaches zero and the vacuum field energy of a particular spatial mode may be significantly enhanced. We predict enhanced spontaneous emission rates into anomalously dispersive cavity modes and broadened laser linewidths when the linewidth of intracavity emitters is broader than the cavity linewidth.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

HST's view of the youngest massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds

Accurate physical parameters of newborn massive stars are essential ingredients to shed light on their formation, which is still an unsolved problem. The rare class of compact H II regions in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs), termed ``high-excitation blobs'' (HEBs), presents a unique opportunity to acquire this information. These objects (~ 4" to 10", ~ 1 to 3 pc, in diameter) harbor the youngest massive stars of the OB association/molecular cloud complexes in the MCs accessible through high-resolution near-IR and optical techniques. We present a brief overview of the results obtained with HST mainly on two HEBs, one in the LMC (N159-5) and the other in the SMC (N81).Comment: 5 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of the 41st ESLAB Symposium "The Impact of HST on European Astronomy", 29 May to 1 June 2007, ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands; eds. Guido De Marchi and Duccio Macchett